Chapter 3 - Three Days Later
On the third day, the Morales family heard a knock on the apartment door.
Saúl opened it.
He was wearing the same shirt from the night before, irritated and half-awake.
“What?”
A legal officer stood in the hallway with two witnesses and a sealed envelope.
“Saúl Morales?”
“Yes.”
“You have been served notice regarding unauthorized occupancy and a protective order related to Renata Aguilar.”
Saúl laughed.
“Unauthorized occupancy? This is my brother’s house.”
The officer handed him the paperwork.
“It is not.”
Saúl’s smile faded as he read.
The deed named one owner.
Renata Aguilar.
The notice listed the documented violence.
The video evidence.
The formal withdrawal of permission for the family to stay in the apartment.
And the order restricting Saúl from contacting Renata or Mateo directly.
Doña Lucha rushed from the kitchen.
“What is happening?”
Saúl handed her the papers.
Her hands began shaking.
“This cannot be right,” she whispered. “Iván will fix it.”
But Iván stood behind her in silence.
He had already received a separate notice.
Renata had not only protected the apartment.
She had filed for separation and requested legal arrangements to protect Mateo from further exposure to violence.
Brenda looked at Saúl.
“What did you do?”
Saúl turned on her.
“Do not start.”
But for once, no one was afraid of his voice.
The officer spoke again.
“You will need to make arrangements to leave according to the notice and legal process. Do not damage the property. Do not remove items belonging to Ms. Aguilar.”
Saúl’s face turned red.
“She is doing this because of one stupid fight?”
From the stairwell, a familiar voice answered.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
Renata stood at the end of the hallway with Jimena beside her.
Mateo was not there.
He was safe with Renata’s sister.
Renata looked at Saúl without fear.
“I am doing this because you assaulted me in my own home.”
Saúl stepped forward.
The officer immediately moved between them.
Renata continued.
“And because everyone at that table watched.”
Doña Lucha began crying.
“Renata, we are family.”
Renata’s expression softened for only a moment.
“Family does not mean you get to hurt someone and keep their home.”
Iván looked at her.
“I am sorry.”
She met his eyes.
“I know.”
“Can we talk?”
“We can talk through lawyers and counselors,” Renata said. “But you do not get to ask me for forgiveness before you take responsibility.”
Then she turned away.
For the first time in three years, the apartment was no longer a place where she had to whisper.
May you like
It was simply her home again.
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